London, 12th November 2014 – JVC Professional has today launched its new 4KCAM product line, comprising three new handheld camcorders and a camera system. The GY-HM200 is a versatile, full-featured 4K Ultra HD camcorder with HD streaming and the compact GY-HM170 delivers 4K Ultra HD images in an economical, palm-sized camera with professional features. The GY-LS300 handheld 4K camera and GW-SP100 camera system – previewed at the recent IBC2014 show – each offer 2K/4K recording; the GY-LS300 is a Super 35mm 2K/4K camcorder that accepts a variety of interchangeable lenses, while the GW-SP100 is a 2K/4K mini camera system featuring remote head and recorder.

When JVC launched its ProHD product line, JVC made professional HD production affordable. The new 4KCAM product line follows that same tradition, with new cameras that make ultra-high definition 4K economical for cinematographers, webcasters and broadcasters, corporate and live event production teams and independent filmmakers.

GY-LS300 Super 35mm camcorder

The GY-LS300 records to non-proprietary SDHC and SDXC media cards in a variety of image formats including 4K Ultra HD, full HD with 4:2:2 sampling, SD and web-friendly proxy formats. It features JVC's 4K Super 35mm CMOS sensor combined with industry standard Micro Four Thirds (MFT) lens mount. JVC’s unique Variable Scan Mapping technology maintains the native angle of view for a variety of lenses, including Super 35, MFT and Super 16. As a result, lens options for the camera are almost limitless.

“The combination of a Super 35 sensor and MFT mount is a brilliant solution to accommodate the largest variety of lenses and adapters without compromising image quality and lens characteristics,” said Gustav Emrich, European product manager. “It gives filmmakers the flexibility to use high-end cinema lenses or affordable glass to capture 4K/HD footage.”

In summary

The 4KCAM product line is an ideal complement to JVC’s successful ProHD product line. All the new cameras feature dual SDHC/SDXC card slots for dual, backup and continuous recording. The camcorders also include a 3.5-inch LCD display and 1.56 megapixel colour viewfinder, each with smart focus assist functions, and offer two-channel audio recording. An ideal complement to JVC’s successful ProHD product line, the new 4KCAM cameras will be available by Spring 2015, with European pricing still to be confirmed.

JVC LAUNCHES 4KCAM PRODUCT LINE WITH THREE HANDHELD CAMERAS AT CCW 2014

WAYNE, NJ (Nov. 12, 2014) – JVC Professional Products, a division of JVCKENWOOD USA Corporation, will introduce its 4KCAM product line and unveil three handheld camera models at Content & Communications World (CCW) 2014, which runs Nov. 12-13 in New York City. The new GY-LS300 is a Super 35mm camcorder that accepts a variety of interchangeable lenses, the GY-HM200 is a versatile, full-featured 4K Ultra HD camcorder with HD streaming, and the GY-HM170 delivers 4K Ultra HD imagery in an economical, palm-sized camera with professional features.

“When we launched our ProHD product line, JVC made professional HD production affordable. Our new 4KCAM product line follows that same tradition, with three new cameras that make ultra-high definition 4K economical for cinematographers, webcasters and broadcasters, corporate and live event production teams, and even independent shooters,” said Larry Librach, senior vice president, JVC Professional Products.

GY-LS300 4KCAM S35mm Camcorder

The GY-LS300 records to non-proprietary SDHC and SDXC media cards in a variety of image formats including 4K Ultra HD, Full HD with 4:2:2 sampling, SD, and Web-friendly proxy formats. It features JVC's 4K Super 35mm CMOS sensor combined with an industry standard Micro Four Thirds (MFT) lens mount. JVC’s unique Variable Scan Mapping technology maintains the native angle of view for a variety of lenses, including Super35, MFT, and Super16. As a result, lens options for the camera are almost limitless.

"The combination of a Super 35 sensor and MFT mount is a brilliant solution to accommodate the largest variety of lenses and adapters without compromising image quality and lens characteristics,” said Edgar Shane, general manager of engineering, JVC Professional Products. “It gives filmmakers flexibility to use high-end cinema lenses or affordable glass to capture 4K/HD footage.”

GY-HM200 4KCAM Streaming Camcorder

The versatile GY-HM200 offers an outstanding combination of professional features and performance for any shooting scenario. It delivers 4K Ultra HD, 4:2:2 Full HD (50Mbps), and SD imagery with a 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS chip. It also features a built-in 12x zoom lens with optical image stabilizer and 24x dynamic zoom in HD mode. Both the GY-LS300 and GY-HM200 include dual XLR audio inputs that are mic/line switchable and feature built-in phantom power, an integrated handle with hot shoe and dedicated microphone mount, and SDI and HDMI video outputs.

The GY-HM200 is also JVC’s most affordable streaming camcorder, and can stream instantly to Ustream or other destinations while simultaneously recording to SDHC/SDXC media cards. A built-in HD streaming engine with Wi-Fi and 4G LTE connectivity allows live HD transmission directly from the GY-HM200 and GY-LS300 to hardware decoders, Ustream, Wowza Streaming Engine, and the ProHD Broadcaster server powered by Zixi. A variety of streaming protocols including RTMP allows delivering content directly to popular streaming Web sites and content delivery networks (CDN). Zixi’s Advanced Streaming Technology (AST) provides content-aware error correction and bandwidth shaping, while JVC’s Streamconfidence delivers real-time feedback of LTE and streaming status in the viewfinder

GY-HM170 4KCAM Compact Camcorder

While very compact, the economical GY-HM170 features a heavy duty body with professional control layout and comprehensive video profile settings for professional use. Keeping with JVC’s commitment to native file workflows, the camera records 4K Ultra HD as H.264 files, and can record HD and SD footage in a variety of resolutions and frame rates. Other features include an integrated 12x optical zoom lens with two ND filters, built-in stereo microphone and 3.5mm audio input, and live 4K UHD output through a built-in HDMI connector.

The 4KCAM product line is an ideal complement to JVC’s successful ProHD product line. All three new cameras feature dual SDHC/SDXC card slots for dual, backup, and continuous recording. The camcorders also include a 3.5-inch LCD display and 1.56 megapixel color viewfinder, both with smart focus assist functions, and offer two-channel audio recording.

The GY-HM200 has an MSRP of $2,995 and the GY-HM170 has an MSRP of $2,495. Both will be available in February. The GY-LS300 has an MSRP of $4,450 and will be available in March.

The MFT mount version has got pretty amazing specs. Basically what most people are looking for in an AF-200 (if one ever arrives() Looking forward to seeing what the images are like and whether there is good dynamic range and low light performance.

Some blown highlights would appear to be indicative of questionable DR, but when you consider the price point of the GY-LS300, it may have its place for a variety of venues given the total feature set. This establishes an interesting "basement" for fun comparisons. E.g., is the Sony FS7 worth nearly twice as much? Definitely would like to see more footage.

If accurate, the dynamic range of the camera's sensor (as purported on the AltaSens site at 68db or 11.3 stops) appears to be similar to the Canon C300. I'm going to guess that decent results can be obtained from this camera in most shooting environments if, as with the AF100, you manage the highlights. It would be great if they incorporated SLog in the final product! I believe their price point reflects this lower performance in DR, but I also think they clearly had the thought of stealing Panasonic's thunder in coming out with their own "AF200." It's hard not to like the on-paper specs of this cam.

Well... Not sure what to say about that footage. Some "fringing" and blown highlights seem evident during several segments, although perhaps some of it was overexposed. Jury is still out for me, and I really want to like this cam.

LS300 Purchase deal news: Apparently when you buy the LS 300 from select dealers, JVC will give you FREE either a Metabones adapter (EF, PL, or Nikon) or a Rokinon MFT 24 or 35 mm lens. So $3999 plus your choice of a worthwhile "free gift."